From 1840’s-90’s, where did the majority of immigrants entering America come from? How did that shift in the late 1800’s?

From 1840’s-90’s, where did the majority of immigrants entering America come from? How did that shift in the late 1800’s?

N. and W Euro: irish british, germans , scandinavian 

1800’s S and E Euro: Italains, Greeks, Hungarians, Poles, Russians

List some (4) push factors that caused people to emigrate to America

Rapid population growth- crowded cities/ less jobs

Crop failures- potato famine 

Lack of arable land- land for crops 

Religious Persecution 

List some pull factors that caused people to emigrate to America

democratic  society- opportunities 

farmland/forest/minerals- opp in diff industries 

Industries- job 

Amer Letters- farm memb “land of milk and honey”

Most immigrants came to America via the steamship. If you were poor, what part of the ship did you come across on? What was it like?

steerage - underpart of the ship

Crowded, uncomfortable, disgusting/ insanitary  

Please describe the “six-second exam” immigrants faced as they entered Ellis Island’s medical inspections.

Inspection to see if immigrants fit to enter 

Ill or disabled– closer look 

Eye exam – incurable disease– deported 

What act was meant to keep immigrants from replacing striking workers in the workforce? What would happen if immigrants admitted to having a job lined up in the US

?The foreign act was meant to keep immigrants from replacing striking workers. If immigrants admitted to having a job lined up in the U.S. they were not allowed to enter the country. 

What percentage of immigrants who came through Ellis Island were deported?

2% of immigrants who came through ellis island were deported 

What was the change in percentage of Americans who lived in cities from 1870-1920?

The percentage of Americans living in cities rose from about 25% in 1870 to over 50% by 1920 

List the places immigrants could receive aid from during the late 1800’s.

Immigrants could get help from political machines, churches, charities, and settlement houses.

What is Americanization? Where did much of it occur?

Americanization is the process of teaching immigrants U.S. culture, language, and customs. Much of it happens in schools and settlement houses.

What political party was formed as a result of “nativism”?

The know-nothing party was formed as a result of nativism.

Why did businesses hire Chinese immigrants over white laborers?

Businesses hired Chinese immigrants because they worked for lower pay and were hardworking and reliable. 

As a result of the Chinese Exclusion Act, how much did Chinese immigration fall in just 2 years?

Chinese immigration dropped by about 90% in just 2 years after the chinese exclusion act.

How was Angel Island Immigration Station different from Ellis Island? What percentage of Chinese were deported?

Angel Island held immigrants much longer and had stricter questioning than Ellis Island. About 18% of Chinese immigrants were deported. 

What were the secret negotiations between the US and Japan? What was the result?

The secret negotiations were called the Gentlemen's agreement. The result was that Japan stopped sending workers to the U.S. and the U.S. stopped segregating Japanese students in schools.

What factors prompted Mexicans to come to America?

Mexicans came to America because of jobs, higher wages, and to escape war and poverty in Mexico.

What other group of people came to the US for better wages and opportunities?

Puerto Ricans came to the U.S. for better wages and more opportunities.